Northants councils to recommend face masks in schools

NN Journal understands new guidance will soon be sent out to schools

By Natalie Bloomer

The North and West Northamptonshire unitary councils will recommend a return to the wearing of face masks in secondary schools, NN Journal understands.

Yesterday we reported concerns from unions over the lack of action from Public Health Northamptonshire and the local authorities in regards to rising Covid rates in our schools.

GMB officer Rachelle Wilkins attended a meeting yesterday morning with public health boss Lucy Wightman and North Northamptonshire Council where she was told that new guidance on face masks would be issued to schools. 

Although the details of the new guidance are not yet clear, we understand head teachers will be given discretion on whether to follow the advice. 

“I believe most schools will support this,” Wilkins told NN Journal. “Without action there will not only be more and more students absent with Covid but staff as well. 

“This should be a strong recommendation to schools, it can’t be mandatory but there shouldn’t be talk of head-teachers u…